Compact Passive Control Tool

ABSTRACT

A passive control tool may include a ball, a handle having a first end and a second end, the first end affixed to the ball, a weapon trap coupled to the second end of the handle and having ribbing around its circumference, an arm trap adjacent to weapon trap and having a striking base, a hook having a first end and a second end, the first end of the hook coupled to the arm trap, the hook positioned opposite the weapon trap at a width such that the arm trap may be used to trap an appendage of a human subject, and a nerve point nub protruding from the hook that may press directly on the human subject to cause compliance. The passive control tool has an overall length from the ball to the striking base of approximately 16.5 inches and a width of approximately 7.5 inches.

RELATED PATENT AND PATENT APPLICATION

This application generally relates to U.S. Pat. No. 5,494,283, whichissued on Feb. 27, 1996, now expired, which was a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 08/122,206, filed Sep. 16, 1993, now abandoned.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to a passive control tool, andmore particularly to an compact passive control tool.

BACKGROUND

Police as well as other peacekeeping or security personnel lack acompact device that they can carry at their side for use in self-defenseand/or for control as needed. While nightsticks have been available,they are not always suitable for striking and blocking and theirrectangular shape may include sharp edges that can cut into a subject'sskin or fracture bone. More recent batons have begun to improve uponthese deficiencies but still are lacking a compact size and means to usewhile employing less force than, for example, a gun.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a passive control toolcomprising a substantially spherical ball, a handle having a first endand a second end, the first end affixed to the substantially sphericalball, a weapon trap having ribbing around its circumference, the weapontrap coupled to the second end of the handle, an arm trap formed as acrook adjacent to weapon trap and having a striking base, a hook havinga first end and a second end, the first end of the hook coupled to thearm trap, the hook extending from the arm trap in the direction of thehandle such that the hook may be positioned opposite the weapon trap ata width such that the arm trap may be used to trap an appendage of ahuman subject, and a nerve point nub protruding from a top portion and abottom portion of the hook, wherein the nerve point nub may pressdirectly on the human subject to cause compliance. The weapon trap maybe a secondary arm trap. The passive control tool may have an overalllength from the substantially spherical ball to the striking base ofapproximately 16.5 inches. The passive control tool may have a width ofapproximately 7.5 inches. The passive control tool may have asubstantially circular cross-section with a diameter of approximatelyone inch. The nerve point nub may be approximately 3/16 of an inch insize. The passive control tool may be constructed from glass-reinforcedurethane or from urethane. The passive control tool may be collapsible.

The nerve point nub may press directly on the nerves of the humansubject when the passive control tool may be hooked on the upper arm ofthe human subject and pressure may be applied. The nerve point nub maypress against the arm of the human subject when the passive control toolmay be hooked on the upper portion of the human subject's arm betweenthe elbow and shoulder and torque pressure may be applied. The nervepoint nub also may press directly onto the human subject's shinbone whenthe passive control tool may be hooked on the lower portion of the humansubject's leg.

Other embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a compactpassive control tool comprising a substantially spherical ball, a handlehaving a first end and a second end, the first end affixed to thesubstantially spherical ball, a weapon trap having ribbing around itscircumference, the weapon trap coupled to the second end of the handle,an arm trap formed as a crook adjacent to weapon trap and having astriking base, a hook having a first end and a second end, the first endof the hook coupled to the arm trap, the hook extending from the armtrap in the direction of the handle such that the hook may be positionedopposite the weapon trap at a width such that the arm trap may be usedto trap an appendage of a human subject, and a nerve point nubprotruding from a top portion and a bottom portion of the hook, whereinthe nerve point nub may press directly on the human subject to causecompliance, wherein the passive control tool has an overall length fromthe substantially spherical ball to the striking base of approximately16.5 inches and a width of approximately 7.5 inches. The nerve point nubmay be approximately 3/16 of an inch in size. The passive control toolmay have a substantially circular cross-section with a diameter ofapproximately one inch. The nerve point nub may press directly on thenerves of the human subject when the passive control tool may be hookedon the upper arm of the human subject and pressure may be applied. Thenerve point nub may press against the arm of the human subject when thepassive control tool may be hooked on the upper portion of the humansubject's arm between the elbow and shoulder and torque pressure may beapplied. The nerve point nub also may press directly onto the humansubject's shinbone when the passive control tool may be hooked on thelower portion of the human subject's leg. The passive control tool maybe collapsible. The passive control tool may be formed through a single2-cavity mold.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of this disclosure, reference is nowmade to the following description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a passive control tool according toan embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 depicts usage of the passive control tool of FIG. 1 according toan embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 3 depicts a portrait view of the passive control tool of FIG. 1according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 depicts passive control tool 10 according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure. Passive control tool 10 may include ball 101 thatmay be substantially spherical on the order of approximately 1½ inchesin diameter and may be used to apply pressure to certain pressure pointsof a human subject. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, ball 101may be used for jabbing when passive control tool 10 is in an invertedposition. In other embodiments of the present disclosure, ball 101 maybe used for functions including but not limited to breaking glass,jabbing a human subject's sternum or solar plexus, or jabbing the gut ofa human subject, such as for riot control purposes. Ball 101 also mayact as a stopping point to prevent passive control tool 10 from beingextracted from the user's hand, such as in a circumstance where a humansubject may attempt to pull on a portion of passive control tool 10 whenit is being manipulated by a user.

Passive control tool 10 may include handle 102 that may be connected toball 101 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Handle102 may be considered the primary place on passive control tool 10 wherethe tool may be held for purposes including but not limited to striking,setting the tool, as well as for two-handed blocking. Handle 102 mayinclude gripping material to provide additional traction or support forthe user's hand(s) when he/she may manipulate passive control tool 10.

Handle 102 may be affixed to weapon trap 103 according to an embodimentof the present disclosure. Weapon trap 103 may be utilized to trap aweapon that may be swung at a user of passive control tool 10 and maycause the weapon to recoil itself. When a weapon is trapped via weapontrap 103, this may provide the user with sufficient time to make amotion using passive control tool 10 to extract the weapon from a humansubject's hand while locking the human subject within passive controltool 10. Weapon trap 103 also may function as a secondary arm trap. Ifthe human subject's wrist or arm is trapped within arm trap 104 butstarts to slip out, weapon trap 103 may help keep the human subject fromcompletely evading passive control tool 10. Weapon trap 103 may act as asecondary pressure point by applying pressure to the human subject in anarea below where arm trap 104 may have begun the initial contact. Weapontrap 103 may include ribbing around its circumference as depicted inFIG. 1 to further strengthen passive control tool 10 and make it lesslikely that tool 10 may shatter when it comes in contact with a humansubject's weapon, a portion of the human subject's body, and/or othersurfaces (such as the ground) during use.

Striking base 107 may be connected to weapon trap 103 according to anembodiment of the present disclosure. Striking base 107 may be used whenpassive control tool 10 may be swung or used as a baton. Striking base107 may be used for striking insofar as the majority of the weight ofpassive control tool 10 may be positioned behind striking base 107 whenpassive control tool 10 is in use for such a purpose.

Arm trap 104 may be formed as a crook connected adjacent to hook 106according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Arm trap 104 maybe used to trap an appendage of a human subject. When passive controltool 10 is twisted, arm trap 104 may prevent the human subject fromturning his/her arm down. Arm trap 104 also may be used to applypressure into bone pressure regions of a human subject's arm, leg,biceps, or other appendage(s) that may be trapped within passive controltool 10. Arm trap 104 also may serve as a beginning apex for hook 106when hook 106 may be used as a handle of passive control tool 10 in someembodiments of the present disclosure.

Hook 106 may act as a guide to lead passive control tool 10 aroundwhatever appendage of a human subject is to be trapped. The end of hook106 may be tapered slightly to enhance its function as a guide accordingto embodiments of the present disclosure. Hook 106 also may be used forone-handed blocks because the line of force created by the energyrequired to hold passive control tool 10 by handle 102 during a blockmay cause passive control tool 10 to turn in the hand of the user.However, a gripping point placed behind the line of force of an attackmay allow all of the energy to be disbursed throughout passive controltool 10 and may place the holding point of tool 10 such that tool 10 maynot turn in the hands of the user when struck. Hook 106 also may act asa handle for use of tool 10 during two-handed blocking according to someembodiments of the present disclosure.

Passive control tool 10 also may include nerve point nub 105 that may bepositioned to protrude from hook 106 according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure. As depicted more clearly in FIG. 3, nerve point nubportion 105 a may protrude from a top portion of hook 106 and nervepoint nub portion 105 b may protrude from a bottom portion of hook 106.Nerve point nub 105 (105 a and 105 b collectively) may be positionedcloser to arm trap 104 than to the end portion of hook 106 located awayfrom arm trap 104. It should be appreciated that in some embodiments ofthe present disclosure, nerve point nub 105 may have the same dimensionsfor the protrusion from the top portion of hook 106 as well as for theprotrusion from the bottom portion. However, it should be appreciatedthat there may be other embodiments wherein nerve point nub 105 may havegreater dimensions (length or width) when it protrudes from the topportion as compared to the protrusion from the bottom portion or viceversa.

It should be appreciated that slip-resistant padding may be incorporatedinto handle 102, hook 106 or both components according to embodiments ofthe present disclosure. This padding may include but is not limited torubber, neoprene or other similar materials. Use of such slip-resistantpadding may provide a more secure grip of tool 10 and may further bufferimpacts to the user of tool 10, such as when tool 10 may be used forblocking or striking.

In embodiments of the present disclosure, passive control tool 10 may beformed of a material including but not limited to glass reinforcedurethane, polycarbonate, or another similar substantially rigidmaterial. It should be appreciated that the ratio of glass to urethaneshould be such that it creates a glass reinforced urethane material.

Passive control tool 10 may be considered compact and less bulky in sizeas compared to previously known nightsticks or other crosshandle batons.As such, it may be more easily used, for example, by peace officersengaging in private security wherein the peace officers may not have avehicle to store weapons not easily carried or allowed to be carried ontheir person. A passive control tool according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure also may be used in scenarios wherein a user maydesire to conceal the passive control tool so that he/she may surprise ahuman subject if an issue suddenly arises.

In embodiments of the present disclosure, passive control tool 10 maymeasure approximately 16.5 inches in length from ball 101 to strikingbase 107, and may measure approximately 7.5 inches in width. Passivecontrol tool 10 may be circular in cross-section with a diameter ofapproximately 1 inch. Such a diameter may provide an easy grip within auser's hand. It should be appreciated that the cross-section may besubstantially circular to minimize the number of sharp edges that maycut or bruise a human subject's skin or fracture bone during use ofpassive control tool 10. A nerve point nub may measure approximately3/16 of an inch in size when protruding from the hook of a passivecontrol tool according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 depicts passive control tool 10 being held by a user according toan embodiment of the present disclosure. When passive control tool 10 isheld by a user while standing directly behind a human subject, the usermay approach the subject from the outside of the human subject's arm andhook passive control tool 10 under the human subject's armpit in orderto obtain compliance. Passive control tool 10 may be used by grabbinghook 106 and/or ball 101 or handle 102 and flipping tool 10 to snare ahuman subject's weapon in weapon trap 103 or a human subject's appendage(such as arm) in arm trap 104. Passive control tool 10 may then be usedto control the human subject by applying force to the human subject'sappendages through tool 10. It also may allow control of the humansubject with one arm once passive control tool 10 has been set. As apassive control tool according to embodiments of the present disclosureis substantially circular in cross section, this may prevent fracture orlaceration of the subject while the passive control tool is being usedon the human subject.

When passive control tool 10 is hooked on the upper arm of a subject andpressure is applied, nerve point nub 105 may press directly on thenerves of the human subject, thereby causing more immediate compliance.When passive control tool 10 is hooked on the upper portion of a humansubject's arm between the elbow and shoulder and torque pressure isapplied, nerve point nub 105 may press against the human subject's armand make it more difficult for the human subject to slide his/her armout of passive control tool 10. When passive control tool 10 is hookedon the lower portion of a human subject's leg, nerve point nub 105 maypress directly onto the human subject's shinbone, also causing moreimmediate compliance.

In other embodiments of the present disclosure, a passive control toolmay be used for one-handed blocking. A user may grip the passive controltool with one arm and then use the tool to block a weapon wielded by ahuman subject. In this manner of blocking, the user's arm may beprotected by the human subject's weapon because the user's arm may bepositioned behind the body of the passive control tool.

A passive control tool according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure also may be used for two-handed blocking wherein a user maygrip the hook of the passive control tool with one arm and then grip thehandle with his/her other arm. In this method, the user may block aweapon wielded by a human subject while having both of his/her handsprotected by the passive control tool.

In embodiments of the present disclosure, the passive control tool maybe used to disarm a weapon wielded by a human subject. After performinga one-handed or two-handed block, the user may remove the weapon fromthe human subject's possession while also trapping the arm of the humansubject in the arm trap of the passive control tool.

A passive control tool according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure also may be used to extract a human subject who does not wantto move. For example, a user may hold the passive control tool by thehook and/or the ball or a handle and then set the arm trap underneaththe human subject's arm. The user may twist the passive control tool andapply pressure into the human subject's arm to encourage the humansubject to move with the user. The passive control tool also may be usedto catch the leg of a human subject that may be trying to kick. Forexample, the passive control tool may be held by its handle and/or itshook to catch the human subject's leg. Once the leg has been caught, theuser may twist the passive control tool and apply pressure into the legof the human subject to exert control. This technique also may be usedto control a human subject that may be holding onto a stationary objector may be fighting with another person.

In further embodiments of the present disclosure, the passive controltool may be used for a one-handed wristlock of a human subject. Thepassive control tool also may be used to set the tool and pull a humansubject to the ground using a twisting motion. In other embodiments ofthe present disclosure, the passive control tool may be used to hook ahuman subject from behind and then escort the human subject with one armwherein the ball of the passive control tool may be positioned under theuser's arm. A user also may escort a human subject by applying pressureto the bicep of the human subject by twisting the passive control tool.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a user may place thepassive control tool in a holster that may include a belt loop and aretention strap. The belt loop may be worn around the waist of a user,and the passive control tool may be worn in the holster with the hook ofthe tool facing forward. The user may then easily retrieve the tool fromthe holster in a single motion using only one hand to do so. Inembodiments of the present disclosure, the passive control tool may beformed so that it may be collapsible. In certain embodiments, thepassive control tool may be disassembled into various parts that maythen be snapped or otherwise fastened together when time for use. Inother embodiments of the present disclosure, the passive control toolmay be formed such that it may be collapsed while the components of thepassive control tool remain connected to one another. A collapsiblepassive control tool may then be stored within a holster or othercarrier when not in use. In some embodiments of the present disclosure,the collapsible passive control tool may be small enough in size whencollapsed so that it may fit into a user's pocket.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide for formation of thepassive control tool through a single 2-cavity mold. However, in otherembodiments of the present disclosure, the passive control tool may beformed in parts so that the separate components may be connected to oneanother and then later collapsed so that the passive control tool mayfit in compact spaces or may even become pocket-sized according toembodiments of the present disclosure.

Although the present disclosure and its advantages have been describedin detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutionsand alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit andscope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, thescope of the present application is not intended to be limited to theparticular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, compositionof matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. Asone of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from thedisclosure, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter,means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developedthat perform substantially the same function or achieve substantiallythe same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may beutilized according to the present disclosure. Accordingly, the appendedclaims are intended to include within their scope such processes,machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.

1. A passive control tool comprising: a substantially spherical ball; ahandle having a first end and a second end, the first end affixed to thesubstantially spherical ball; a weapon trap having ribbing around itscircumference, the weapon trap coupled to the second end of the handle;an arm trap formed as a crook adjacent to weapon trap and having astriking base; a hook having a first end and a second end, the first endof the hook coupled to the arm trap, the hook extending from the armtrap in the direction of the handle such that the hook is positionedopposite the weapon trap at a width such that the arm trap can be usedto trap an appendage of a human subject; and a nerve point nubprotruding from a top portion and a bottom portion of the hook, whereinthe nerve point nub presses directly on the human subject to causecompliance.
 2. The passive control tool of claim 1 wherein the passivecontrol tool has an overall length from the substantially spherical ballto the striking base of approximately 16.5 inches.
 3. The passivecontrol tool of claim 1 wherein the passive control tool has asubstantially circular cross-section with a diameter of approximatelyone inch.
 4. The passive control tool of claim 1 wherein the nerve pointnub is approximately 3/16 of an inch in size.
 5. The passive controltool of claim 1 wherein the passive control tool is constructed fromglass-reinforced urethane.
 6. The passive control tool of claim 1wherein the passive control tool is constructed from urethane.
 7. Thepassive control tool of claim 1 wherein the passive control tool has awidth of approximately 7.5 inches.
 8. The passive control tool of claim1 wherein the weapon trap is a secondary arm trap.
 9. The passivecontrol tool of claim 1 wherein the nerve point nub presses directly onthe nerves of the human subject when the passive control tool is hookedon the upper arm of the human subject and pressure is applied.
 10. Thepassive control tool of claim 1 wherein the nerve point nub pressesagainst the arm of the human subject when the passive control tool ishooked on the upper portion of the human subject's arm between the elbowand shoulder and torque pressure is applied.
 11. The passive controltool of claim 1 wherein the nerve point nub presses directly onto thehuman subject's shinbone when the passive control tool is hooked on thelower portion of the human subject's leg.
 12. The passive control toolof claim 1 wherein the passive control tool is collapsible.
 13. Acompact passive control tool comprising: a substantially spherical ball;a handle having a first end and a second end, the first end affixed tothe substantially spherical ball; a weapon trap having ribbing aroundits circumference, the weapon trap coupled to the second end of thehandle; an arm trap formed as a crook adjacent to weapon trap and havinga striking base; a hook having a first end and a second end, the firstend of the hook coupled to the arm trap, the hook extending from the armtrap in the direction of the handle such that the hook is positionedopposite the weapon trap at a width such that the arm trap can be usedto trap an appendage of a human subject; and a nerve point nubprotruding from a top portion and a bottom portion of the hook, whereinthe nerve point nub presses directly on the human subject to causecompliance, wherein the passive control tool has an overall length fromthe substantially spherical ball to the striking base of approximately16.5 inches and a width of approximately 7.5 inches.
 14. The compactpassive control tool of claim 13 wherein the passive control tool iscollapsible.
 15. The compact passive control tool of claim 13 whereinthe nerve point nub is approximately 3/16 of an inch in size.
 16. Thecompact passive control tool of claim 13 wherein the nerve point nubpresses directly on the nerves of the human subject when the passivecontrol tool is hooked on the upper arm of the human subject andpressure is applied.
 17. The compact passive control tool of claim 13wherein the nerve point nub presses against the arm of the human subjectwhen the passive control tool is hooked on the upper portion of thehuman subject's arm between the elbow and shoulder and torque pressureis applied.
 18. The compact passive control tool of claim 13 wherein thenerve point nub presses directly onto the human subject's shinbone whenthe passive control tool is hooked on the lower portion of the humansubject's leg.
 19. The compact passive control tool of claim 13 whereinthe passive control tool has a substantially circular cross-section witha diameter of approximately one inch.
 20. The compact passive controltool of claim 13 wherein the passive control tool is formed through asingle 2-cavity mold.